#GoodFeelsFriday

Ice Ferret, or Fenris. This 45-ton OmniMech has a top speed of 129 kph, making it very fast for its size, and made even tougher by carrying almost maximum armor. It is limited by 9.5 tons of pod space, though its Prime configuration still has a Clan ER PPC and Streak SRM-2 along with an emotional support ER Small Laser, and an Active Probe to find hidden units. This 'Mech was originally named the Wolf Hunter, made by the Ice Hellions as an answer to the legendary Timber Wolf. Clan Wolf responded by making multiple challenges for possession of the OmniMech, winning nearly every one. Taking possession of the design, they renamed it the Ice Ferret, after a natural predator of the ice hellion animal. The Ice Hellion Clan would continue calling this 'Mech the Wolf Hunter, even though it now carries a heavy stigma of failure with them. The Wolves, on the other hand, use it to great effect as a workhorse Medium OmniMech.

Fenris/Ice Ferret from the Trading Card Game.

Failing many Trials and stolen by the very people it was made to fight, Fenris faded into the background. But Fenris is a tough, fast OmniMech that's powerful for its size.

Remember you always have worth, even if things don't go according to plan.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

SCB-9A Scarabus. At 30 tons, this Light pushes the limits of its frame as designers tried to make a replacement for the Locust. A 300-grade Extralight Engine pushes it to a top speed of 162 kph. It can put this speed to good use, deploying two Medium Lasers, two Small Lasers, and a Hatchet to tear apart anything it runs down. An ECM suite lets it scramble up anyone it runs by, and a TAG lets it call in support from bigger, slower allies. Five and a half tons of ferro-fibrous armor keep it protected as it dashes and blasts. Scarabus proved popular enough that its original designer, Vining Engineering and Salvage Team, couldn't keep up with demand from the AFFC. After Coventry Metal Works bought a production license, enough were made that you can find these dashing hatchets all over the Lyran Alliance and Federated Suns.

Expensive and overdesigned, Scarabus overloaded its maker and failed to replace the Locust. But Scarabus' efforts still landed it a place among the Houses.

Don't believe you're trying too hard. Someone's watching, and they like what they see.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

ST-8A Shootist. This 70-ton Heavy has a standard max ground speed of 64 kph. It is happiest getting right in the enemy's face, where its AC/20, double medium pulse lasers, and small laser can do their best work. For long range it carries a single ER large laser. 12 tons of ferro-fibrous armor keep it safe enough to get into that range. Shootist was originally made as a command and electronic warfare unit, but was unable to keep up with the electronic warfare options of its own era, and was quickly outpaced by other, more popular command 'Mechs such as the Battlemaster. Designers and commanders alike pivoted to using it as a juggernaut and bodyguard unit in heavy lances. This was also the 'Mech of Jeremiah Rose of the Black Thorns, during his stint in the Com Guards on Tukayyid.

The Big Angry Tetris Block, Shootist was outmoded almost before it had gotten off the factory line. But Shootist is also a powerful juggernaut and command unit.

Don't let people say you're not good enough. Stand tall and keep moving forward.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

THE-F Thorn. This 20-tonner can manage a top speed of 97 kph, and brings an LRM-5 and two Medium Lasers to the party, protected by a very respectable 4 tons of armor. An upgraded model, the THE-N, uses Endo Steel construction to free up enough weight for CASE and an extra half-ton of armor. Thorn is compared unfavorably to other 20-tonners: the Stinger and Wasp have the same landspeed, but have jump jets to increase their mobility, and the Locust has a higher landspeed. Yet none of these 'Mechs can match the Thorn's firepower. Later variants would double down on the Thorn as a light weapons platform: the frightening THE-NB would add an ER large laser, and the THE-N1 would go even further, loading in an ER PPC, making it a deadly sniper just in time to face the Clans at Tukayyid.

A 'Mech that did nothing wrong and still failed, Thorn was forgotten as faster 'Mechs filled its weight class. But Thorn hung on, providing rare power for its size.

Sometimes the dice don't come up in your favor. Don't give up. Show your strength.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Savage Coyote. This 85-ton OmniMech was made as a showcase OmniMech for Clan Coyote, the Clan that made Omni technology in the first place. A modest top speed of 54 kph is limiting as far as Clans go, but this frees up 45 tons of pod space for weapons. The Prime configuration carries double ATM-12s, an ER PPC, and LB 10-X Autocannon, backed up by three ER Medium lasers and two emotional support ER Small Lasers. Just watch your heat! Even Clan Double Heat Sinks can struggle with all those weapons.

An ugly, oversized, lumbering brick, Savage Coyote falls behind its faster, sleeker kin. But Savage Coyote is a strong fighter making an anchor point for its teammates.

If it feels like you lag behind, remember people rely on you more than you know.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

PUL-2V Pulverizer. This 90-ton Assault was made to push Clan Wolverine into a new age. With a top speed of 64 kph and fifteen and a half tons of ferro-fibrous armor, it has the speed to get into position and the durability to weather a lot of damage while it lines up its own arsenal. With an Enhanced ER PPC backed up by two Large Lasers and an LRM-10, it is a heavy hitter at all ranges. Pulverizer proved so effective that Clan Snow Raven kept using it even after the Wolverines were erased from existence. The 'Mech was only retired when it was outmoded by OmniMechs, and even then the Pulverizer was the basis for the Kingfisher OmniMech. Despite being out of production for centuries, some Pulverizers can still be seen in service with the Snow Ravens through the Dark Age.

Carrying the stigma of its creators, Pulverizer was disgraceful and doomed to erasure. But Pulverizer proved so reliable that even the Clans kept using it for centuries.

Don't let people say you don't belong. Let your strengths speak for themselves.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

THR-1L Thunder. A cousin of the venerable Hunchback and Victor, this 70-ton 'Mech is primarily a short-range brawler. Though it carries an LRM-5 for long-range support, its real weaponry is the Autocannon/20 in the right arm and three Medium Pulse Lasers in the torso, letting it tear through any target at point-blank range. Double Heat Sinks and three tons of ammo mean it won't have to stop shooting until it's out of targets. Thirteen and a half tons of armor keep in protected as it closes the range, and a top speed of 86 kph means it will close the range faster than you expect. Other variants of the Thunder would swap out the AC-20 for anything from an LB 20-X to a Thunderbolt 20 to an Arrow IV launcher alongside Stealth armor.

Proud bearer of the "How Does That Even Work" badge, Thunder is short-ranged and lopsided. But Thunder is also a fearsome brawler to those it closes in on.

Who cares if you look funny. Given half a chance, you can knock someone's socks off.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Kuma. A 60-ton Clan 'Mech, this has a top speed of 97 kph and a jump distance of 240 meters (8 hexes), courtesy of an XL engine paired with Improved Jump Jets. Sometimes called the "Charger IIC" for favoring speed over anything else, the Kuma's weapons are limited to a Heavy Large Laser and two ER Medium Lasers, which its heat sinks can barely keep up with. Of course the Heavy Large Laser is nothing to sneeze at, doing more damage than a Gauss Rifle. 10.5 tons of regular armor keep the Kuma moderated protected for its weight. Kuma was born of Clan Ghost Bear and the Free Rasalhague Republic taking the first shaky steps towards integrating into what would become the Ghost Bear Dominion. Although not as strong as most Clan Heavies, it would become a part of many light Stars in the Dominion.

Kuma is dismissed as weak, a Heavy without the expected firepower. But Kuma is an incredibly mobile, independent Heavy, born of enemies learning to work together.

Dare to be different. You might just find something special.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

LNG-1B Longshot. This 35-ton 'Mech uses an XL Engine to push up to top speed of 119 kph. This proved useful because contrary to its name, the Longshot is a short-range fighter. Paired SRM-6's, Medium Lasers, and Small Lasers let it take a big bite out of anything it can close in on. Just as deadly is the Narc Beacon launcher in the 'Mech's right arm, letting the pilot mark targets for the rest of his lancemates to pound on from a safer distance. Longshot pilots know to keep moving; 6 tons of armor is impressive for a light 'Mech, but that can go all too quickly if you get in over your head. This version of the Longshot did not make the splash the creators hoped it would in the Solaris VII circuit. Although it played well in team events, in one-on-one matches the Narc Beacon ended up being wasted weight. This led to the development of the LNG-2, which ditched the Narc Beacon in favor of Artemis IV fire control and X-Pulse lasers, as well as experimental Reactive Armor.

Longshot was a team player, and so was rejected by people trying to be heroes. But Longshot is a good knife-fighter that spots for its friends.

Everyone has their own definition of what is valuable. Don't let just anyone say you're not good enough.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Ursus. This 50-ton Clan second line 'Mech has a top land speed of 65 kph, making it slow for a Clan Medium. It is strong in a fight however, with almost maximum armor, along with a set of lasers and missiles to give it something to shoot at almost any range. Double heat sinks mean it will run almost heat-neutral if you don't go nuts with the alpha strikes. Ursus came from the Ghost Bears using Inner Sphere technology to streamline their 'Mech production. The weapons and armor are Clan make, but much of the 'Mech's internals are made in the Inner Sphere. In many ways, one could see the Ursus as the first step of the Ghost Bears learning to work with the Inner Sphere that would one day become their home.

With mismatched parts and with a torso that made people go "WTF," Ursus stands out. Yet Ursus was a strong brawler born of enemies just starting to work together.

Even if it looks odd, building something with what you have can make something great.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

END-6Q Enfield. This 50-tonner has a top speed of 86.4 kph and 11 tons of armor, giving it the maximum possible protection for its size. An XL engine and Endo Steel structure free up enough weight for an impressive weapons package: an LB 10-X with two tons of ammo, a Large Pulse Laser, two Medium lasers, and an emotional support Small Laser just in case. 11 Double Heat Sinks mean you can alpha strike all you want. Enfield's plans were lost during the Succession Wars, to be found in 2870 but still remained out of production until 3055, when technology had finally caught up enough to be able to make its advanced parts. Being introduced when XL engines were still being figured out, Enfield carried a stigma of being fragile on the battlefield. Though its armor and CASE gave it far more staying power than other 'Mechs of its era. Curiously this stigma of fragility did not follow the Enfield's older companion 'Mech, the Enforcer, which was also upgraded to carry an XL engine.

Enfield fought to find a place. Lost, rediscovered, then dismissed for rumored fragility. But in truth Enfield was heavily armed and armored, able to hold its own on the battlefield.

Don't let people tell you that you are weak. Stand strong.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

TR1 Wraith. A 55-ton 'Mech, in many ways this is an upgraded Phoenix Hawk. A top speed of 119 kph and a jump distance of 210 meters (7 hexes) make it more agile than many light 'Mechs. 8.5 tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor keep it protected against any shots that manage to find their mark. Meanwhile the 'Mech's array of pulse lasers - one Large, two Medium - ensure that after it closes on a target, it will be able to inflict damage quickly. Wraith has an odd combination of quirks: Ubiquitous and Difficult to Maintain. So you can find it anywhere, but it might not be working. Thankfully the manufacturer, Curtiss Hydrosystems, provides a good warranty on the 'Mech, and each new unit ships with many replacement parts.

Designed by a maker of water purifiers, no one expected the Wraith to be anything more than a stunt. But the 'Mech they got punched well above its weight.

Don't let someone tell you that you won't make it. Your background isn't your identity.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

DFN-3S Defiance. At 75 tons, this heavy 'Mech has a top speed of 64 kph and 13.5 tons of armor, keeping it mobile and resilient on the battlefield. Often called a "Warhammer on steroids," the Defiance has the Warhammer's "something for every situation" weapon philosophy. The 'Mech has two ER PPCs and an LB 10-X Autocannon as its primary armament, backed up by twin ER Medium Lasers and an SRM-6. Two emotional support ER Small Lasers and a machine gun are around for close-in work. Watch the heat scale, though: the 'Mech's 12 double heat sinks struggle to handle the heat from all those guns. This led to a field modification so popular it ended up becoming an official factory configuration: the DFN-3T, which swaps the ER PPCs for regular PPCs. The Defiance also has a Warhammer-style searchlight on the shoulder for nighttime operations.

A derpy, overheated block of guns mired in politics, Defiance stumbled hard at the beginning. But when the Lyran Alliance was in danger, Defiance was there to hold the line.

You don't fail because you stumble. Keep moving and find your place.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Supernova. This 90-ton Clan BattleMech was meant as a replacement for the King Crab. 14.5 tons of armor provide adequate protection, and a top speed of 54 kph supplemented with a 90-meter jump capacity give it decent mobility for its weight. The Supernova is armed with six Clan-grade Extended Range Large Lasers, letting the pilot bring a lot of pain without the need for ammo resupply. But watch the heat scale - 26 Double Heat Sinks struggle to keep the 'Mech from overheating. Volley fire is your friend here. The Supernova was made in 2846, back before OmniMechs even existed. It shows the Clans were still figuring out how to use their new technology and adapt their combat doctrines to fit it: the Supernova lacks the increased ground speed or quick-burn arsenals many Clan Assaults have. It also lacks an XL engine or advanced armor or structure, which makes it extremely easy to maintain...as far as Clan equipment goes, anyway.

Full of growing pains, Supernova is slow, overheated, and underarmored. Yet Supernova is also a straightforward, reliable design in the right hands.

Flaws don't disqualify you. They teach you how to use your strengths.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Arbalest. A 25-ton 'Mech made by Clan Nova Cat in the time of the Jihad. With a pair of Clan-grade LRM-10s and ER Medium Lasers, it can bring far more firepower to the field than most 'Mechs in its weight class. But with a maximum speed of 86 kph and only 3.5 tons of armor, Arbalest has to rely on hit-and-run tactics to survive. Arbalest is a product of Clan Nova Cat needing to conserve their limited resources while also shoring up their second line forces. Although not the strongest fighter, it is also easy to mass produce, having a standard engine, structure, and armor. It proved popular enough that after the Jihad it can be found all over the Inner Sphere.

Lacking both armor and speed, Arbalest seems a death trap. Yet Arbalest let pilots bring firepower to the front lines against an enemy that seemed unstoppable.

Even when you feel like there's nothing to work with, you can still keep moving forward.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

P1 Perseus. This 75-ton OmniMech, nicknamed the "Omni-Orion," comes ready to fight. A 64 kph top speed keeps it respectably mobile, and 14 tons of armor keep it safe. It also comes with a whopping 39.5 tons of pod space. However, the bulky XL engine and Endo Steel structure take up an enormous amount of space in the body, forcing it to carry heavier weapons only in the arms. Furthermore, there is precious little space for more Double Heat Sinks, forcing pilots to get creative with loadouts. The Prime configuration has an LRM/20 and Ultra AC/10 in the arms as primary weapons, backed up by an SRM 4 in the center torso and four ER Medium Lasers in the legs, and a bonus ER Small Laser in the Head. Although this gave the 'Mech impressive firepower, pilots had to be manage their heat, as an alpha strike would quickly redline the 'Mech.

Perseus was handicapped by advanced equipment taking up critical space. Yet pilots who worked with the limitations found it a customizable, powerful Heavy.

Life often crams us into a space we don't fit. Rather than give up, find how to move forward.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

TMC-NB Temax Cat Ninjabolt. Battletech’s version of Voltron or Megas XLR, this machine is a combination of an Axman, Tempest, Catapult, Ninja-To, and Thunderbolt. It somehow not only keeps working, but now offers Frontiertech adventure packages from people wanting to rent it. Though it does take extra time to understand how to control all the aftermarket changes. This 65-ton monstrosity has the Axman's top speed of 60 kph and its jump capacity of 120 meters. An ER Large Laser, Enhanced LRM-15, HV Autocannon 10, and a Medium Laser make up its offensive capabilities. 12 tons of armor keep it safe, but the 'Mech's real safety mechanism is its pilot, Larry Allen Barttelbort, a man who absolutely will not give up on it, no matter what new replacement parts need to get grafted on to keep it running.

Born of a crippled Axman, one makeshift repair after another made the famous Temax Cat Ninjabolt.

Life rarely follows your plan. What you end up with might look weird, but it might just be better than anything you could have planned on.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

OBK-M10 O-Bakemono. This 80-tonner is mostly a pair of Arrow IV launchers on legs. A maximum speed of 64 kph gives it average mobility, and 14 tons of armor keep it safe enough. But with only two Medium Lasers and a Small Laser for personal weapons, this 'Mech can find itself quickly overwhelmed. Keep it safe though, and it can bring its double Arrow IV's to bear, with fully 6 tons of ammo to unload on targets. Later variants would replace the Arrow IV's with huge MRM launchers, turning the O-Bakemono into a missile spam beast.

An 80-ton artillery platform, O-Bakemono is often overlooked for being weak in combat. Yet O-Bakemono can bring monstrous covering fire to any fight, trusting its lancemates to protect it.

Look out for your friends, and they will look out for you.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

GTL-1O Gauntlet. This 55-ton OmniMech was an evolution of the Bushwacker, coming from Archon Adam Steiner's desire for a medium OmniMech to honor the Lyran spirit. 21 tons of pod space allow for a flexible loadout. A 275 grade engine makes it reasonably fast, boosted by a built-in MASC, which the Prime variant boosts even further with a Supercharger. In addition to the Supercharger, the Prime configuration also carries a Heavy PPC and a Thunderbolt launcher, letting it land heavy hits from medium range. Other variants would mount missiles or just a truckload of Medium Lasers. The Gauntlet was stuck in development hell for almost 30 years, fighting technical issues and disapproval from the LCAF's generals. When it finally did come out, the regular LCAF units got plenty of mileage out of it.

The dream of Adam Steiner himself, Gauntlet was rejected by many generals of the LCAF. Yet Gauntlet was a well-loved striker OmniMech among the more "regular" units.

If you must choose between being popular and being good, being good is a success.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

MLN-1A Merlin. Made in 3010, this was the first completely new BattleMech design to be made in over 100 years. Weighing in at 60 tons, it has a top speed of 64 kph and a jump distance of 120 meters (4 hexes). A spiritual cousin to the Shadow Hawk and its "jack of all trades, master of none" design, the Merlin carries a PPC, 2 Medium lasers, an LRM-5, a machine gun, and a flamer. Ten and a half tons of armor keep it reasonably protected. The Merlin almost wasn't made, as the CEO of the manufacturer rejected the design. Fate stepped in, though. With that CEO's death and replacement by his son, the Merlin was revived. The design proved so successful that it saved Mountain Wolf BattleMechs from bankruptcy. Although uncommon among House units, Merlin is quite popular among mercenaries for its flexibility, cheap cost, and easy maintenance.

Merlin nearly died on the page for not being flashy. Yet Merlin proved a reliable multipurpose machine loved across the galaxy.

If you feel insignificant, remember the heroes are the reliable ones that show up, ready to do whatever is asked of them.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Orca, a 200-ton Superheavy. The biggest 'Mech ever made, this monster carries the firepower of a whole Lance, as well as a Sniper artillery piece. A closely-kept secret, this 'Mech was never fielded as it proved too much for the pilot to control reliably. However, the development of the Orca spurred production of later, more useful Superheavies, such as the Poseidon and the Ares.

Orca was more powerful and dangerous than anything else. So much...that its pilot could not control it.

Let Orca be a lesson. Don't try to take everything on yourself. Don't be so focused on 'being powerful' that you're crushed under the weight.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

B1-HND Bloodhound. At 45 tons with a maximum speed of 118 kph, this 'Mech can move very fast over the modern battlefield. A Beagle Active Probe lets it do its assigned task of finding hidden units, and three ER Medium lasers backed up by a Streak SRM-6 and an ER Small Laser help defend it against the things it finds. 14 double heat sinks mean it can keep firing that arsenal all day, and 9.5 tons of CASE-equipped armor with Protected Actuators allow the pilot to take some risks. Bloodhound is very good at its intended role of infantry support, but can quickly find itself outclassed by other 'Mechs, even in its own weight bracket.

Lacking heavy firepower, Bloodhound faltered against other 'Mechs. Yet Bloodhound was very good at supporting units that couldn't see what it did.

Even if you're not the strongest, remember anyone can still stand up to support their friends.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

PLG-1N Pillager. This 100-ton Assault 'Mech was built as an upgraded Victor. Double AC/20s, an SRM-4, and three medium lasers make it a single-'Mech delete button at short range...but its maximum speed of 54kph means it's going to spent a lot of time trying to get those weapons into range of anything. An UrbanMech-grade jump range of 60 meters (2 hexes) helps in a pinch, but the 'Mech's 17 tons of armor will quickly get ground down before it can get into range to fire. 16 single heat sinks struggle to bleed off the heat from the inevitable alpha strikes. Even when HildCo had the manufacturing base to keep making these during the Succession Wars, the company chose to put off production until the upgraded PLG-3Z could be made again.

PGL-3Z Pillager. The "default" variant of the Pillager and grown to far greater popularity than the original PLG-1N. This 100-tonner carries two Gauss Rifles, four Medium Lasers, and a Large Laser. An XL engine frees up the tonnage for this loadout while maintaining the 'Mech's original top speed of 54 kph, though the jump range has been upgraded to 90 meters (3 hexes). Double Heat Sinks give a much-needed boost to the 'Mech's cooling capacity, allowing the pilot to alpha strike at will. 19.5 tons of armor give the Pillager Atlas-grade protection. This is the model of Pillager HildCo held out for, not starting Pillager production again until they had the technology to make XL engines and Gauss rifles again.

Struggling both to get its weapons into range and to avoid overheating, Pillager was deeply flawed. Then upgraded equipment made it a versatile fighter.

Stay true to yourself, but rebuild if something's not working. It's how you become great.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

SCG-WF1 Scourge. This 65-ton 'Mech serves as a general-purpose fighter and heavy scout. A maximum speed of 86 kph and jump jets make it very mobile for its weight. 11 tons of light Ferro-Fibrous armor give it the maximum available amount of protection. A Gauss Rifle gives it long-range punch, but its real power comes from four ER Medium lasers loaded into the right arm, where an Actuator Enhancement System makes them even more accurate, and 11 Double Heat Sinks allows it to fire these guns regularly. The prototype SCG-WX1 Scourge was a different story. It carried an Ultra AC/10 and Improved Heavy Large Laser as main weapons backed up by three ER Medium Lasers, along with Reflective Armor. This prototype was bogged down with constant technical problems, ultimately being destroyed...though it would go on to inspire the design for the Rawhide BattleMech.

An ambitious design held back by constant technical problems, Scourge seemed trapped in a loop of testing. Then Scourge was re-worked into a good general-purpose fighter.

Speed bumps can hold back a good idea. Stick with it, see your dreams through.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

RVN-3L Raven. The premier electronic warfare 'Mech, this 35-tonner carried all the tricks available in 3050: Guardian ECM, Beagle Active Probe, Narc Beacon, and TAG. Two medium lasers and an SRM-6 give it some punch when forced to fight. Four and a half tons of ferro-fibrous armor give some protection, but when in trouble you're better off using the 97.2 kph top speed to get to safety. Or use the TAG to call in some heavy backup. The prototype Raven, the infamous RVN-1X of 3024, was an embarrassing mess, limited to a top speed of 86 kph by lack of XL engine technology, and with only four tons of regular armor its first fight was often its last. The 1X's experimental electronic warfare suite was both heavier and less effective than the more advanced Guardian/Beagle combo, and had an unfortunate bug: when damaged, the ECM would jam the Raven's own systems. You can't really blame the Davions who would refit captured Ravens to carry a Large Laser and extra armor instead of ECM.

Raven was slow, weak, and jammed by its own experimental ECM gear. But designers stuck with it until the solution came, giving them a truly groundbreaking 'Mech.

Give the bad ideas a chance, you might just be missing one piece.

And Happy Halloween.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

D2X-G Gestalt. This 45-ton Word of Blake 'Mech has a Heavy PPC with a Capacitor, backed up by a pair of ER Medium Lasers. A top speed of 118 kph and 180 meter jump capacity also make it incredibly mobile. An Angel ECM suite and Heavy Ferro-Fibrous armor keep it protected, and a Void Signature System lets it literally vanish from the field when it has to. The 'Mech's armor and weapons are only part of the story. Instead of a gyro, the Gestalt is piloted by a cybernetic pilot in a special Machina Domini PA(L) suit. This allows unprecedented control of the 'Mech, and also lets the pilot disembark and proceed on foot when the mission required. Whether the Gestalt was a testbed for equipment that would later be incorporated into existing Blakist hardware, or if it was the first in a whole new line of war machines, remains a mystery. The Blakists who designed it have vanished, and the Gestalt's factory has been destroyed.

Machina Domini PA(L) interface armor. A necessary component of the Gestalt 'Mech, the VDNI-equipped pilot had to wear this to be able to interface with and control the 'Mech. The armor lets the pilot achieve a ground speed of 32.4 kph, and a Firedrake Support Needler and Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount give the pilot options in case of running into trouble while out of the 'Mech. This suit might have been the first model in a new generation of Machina Domini class equipment, but like the Gestalt, this power suit has vanished from the Inner Sphere.

An effort to revolutionize BattleMechs, Gestalt faded away with its cybernetic creators. Yet Gestalt was a high-power striker that gave its pilot unique options.

Always take the risk to push forward. That's how you find something truly amazing.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Vision Quest, a 60-ton Nova Cat BattleMech. With a top speed of 86 kph and maximum armor, it had staying power on the battlefield. It also had stopping power, with a pair of Clan-level ER Large Lasers and a trio of Medium Pulse Lasers, all in support of an Improved Gauss Rifle, which was later upgraded to an Ultra AC/20. Vision Quest existed mostly as a symbolic 'Mech, honoring past Nova Cat Khans. Tragically the Nova Cats themselves dismissed it as lackluster. The last one was literally nuked from existence on Irece as the Draconis Combine wiped out the Nova Cats as punishment for their rebellion.

Dismissed as a relic, Vision Quest was sidelined and forgotten. Yet Vision Quest was a highly capable Heavy 'Mech that fought to the bitter end.

Don't accept that your time has passed. Hold the line and push forward.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Gotterdammerung, a 75-ton Lyran 'Mech. With a name that translates to "Twilight of the Gods," this can be fearsome to run into on the battlefield. An ER PPC and head-mounted LRM/15 give it respectable long-range punch. Its maximum speed of 64 kph can bring it into range to use its five ER Medium Lasers on unlucky targets. Just mind the heat on firing all those lasers at once! Twelve tons of Heavy Ferro Fibrous armor, a compact Gyro, regular-style fusion engine, and torso-mounted cockpit make the 'Mech's most important components difficult to take out quickly. On top of that, all five Medium Lasers are mounted directly in the Center Torso, so this 'Mech will keep shooting until it is completely torn apart. In emergencies however, pilots find the critical flaws: a life support system split between the side torsos and a buggy ejection system mean an unlucky pilot can find themselves sealed into an overheating metal box with no way out.

An effort to make the perfect Zombie 'Mech, Gotterdammerung kept its pilot incredibly safe, but in emergencies pilots could not escape from it.

Learn from this one. Protect yourself, but don't have walls up so strong you can't get out.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Great Wyrm, a 45-ton Clan 'Mech from 2844. Arguably a Dragon IIC, this 'Mech sported an LRM/10 and two each of Ultra AC/2's, ER Medium Lasers, and ER Small Lasers. 7 tons of armor and a top speed of 86 kph kept it safe and mobile. Great Wyrm was seen in all the Clan toumans for a time, but was phased out of frontline positions as OmniMechs were introduced and became popular. Production ultimately stopped in 2872, but this was not the end of Great Wyrm's story. It would reappear in 3069, retooled and upgraded into the Great Wyrm 2 in time to fight the Blakists.

Great Wyrm did nothing wrong, but was still pushed aside by OmniMechs. Yet Great Wyrm was capable and popular enough to be revived when it was needed.

Falling behind doesn't mean you've failed. Hold the course and play to your strengths.

#battletech #GoodFeelsFriday

Prometheus. This 75-ton prototype was the equivalent of throwing a Loki, Thor, Mad Cat, and Vulture into a blender and seeing what came out. It would have been thrown in the dust bin of history and forgotten if not for it also having a prototype Direct Neural Interface control system included. The DNI allowed a minimally-trained pilot to take the Prometheus through a legendary run on Solaris VII. Furthermore, the 'Mech's patchwork construction actually worked as an inhibitor on the very dangerous DNI system, holding off the more dangerous side effects of directly plugging your brain into a giant robot.

A mishmash of rare parts, Prometheus seemed a huge boondoggle. Yet Prometheus' unique construction actually fixed its interface system and made it a Solaris legend.

Don't give up because you're flawed. Sometimes flaws give us our strength.

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